Sutton United will be counting on their fans – and comedian Tim Vine – to help turn their fortunes around when they welcome strugglers Hayes & Yeading on Saturday.
In a bid to boost their attendances and get their first four-figure crowd of the season, United are telling fans they can enter the Gander Green Lane ground for free and then make a voluntary contribution once inside if they want.
Comedian and fan Vine will also be there and a similar scheme last season saw more than 2,000 fans watch the 4-0 win over Basingstoke.
After last season’s play-off heartache, it’s been an inconsistent campaign for United this time around and, with only one win in their past five games, they look set for a mid-table finish.
In the Ryman Premier, struggling Hampton & Richmond Borough are at home to high-flying Hendon.
With four defeats and a win in the last five games, the Beavers are only seven points clear of the drop zone but know beating the promotion chasers will ease relegation worries.
Chasing promotion themselves, Met Police will be looking to bounce back against Wingate & Finchley after losing at home in the league for the first time this season last Saturday.
There’s only a single point between the three places that separate both sides in a tight battle for the final play-off spot that the Blues currently occupy.
Also in the hunt for that play-off spot are 10th-placed Kingstonian, who travel to a struggling Lewes side that this week appointed former Ebbsfleet manager Steve Brown as their new boss.
In the Ryman South, a bouyant Tooting & Mitcham side will look to follow up reaching the London Senior Cup final in midweek with victory at Whitstable Town.
The Terrors beat Cray Valley 1-0 on Tuesday night thanks to Saidhu Khan’s early strike to book a place in the May 6 final.
Their opponents in the final are still to be decided with Hendon and Corinthian Casuals still to play their quarter-final, with the winner then facing Harrow Borough in the semi-final.
For the moment, Corinthians Casuals are concentrating on the league and this weekend welcome third-placed Folkstone Invicta, with both sides looking to make it four unbeaten.
Invicta’s last defeat was also Carshalton Athletic’s last win, a 5-3 success a month ago.
Then, the unexpected win looked like it would lift Carshalton’s season, but it has fizzled with three defeats. They have a perfect chance to bounce back when they go to second-bottom Redhill.
Walton Casuals, who haven’t won in three games themselves, travel to leaders Burgess Hill Town, needing a win to ease relegation fears, while Walton & Hersham take on Ramsgate at home.
In the Combined Counties Premier League, Raynes Park Vale are at home to leaders Camberley Town and Colliers Wood United travel to Spelthorne Sports.
